About the Dana 70 Front Axle
The Dana 70 Front Axle is known for its durability and strength, making it a top choice among truck enthusiasts, off-road builders, and military vehicle owners. If you're in the market for a reliable used axle, our selection of the Dana 70 Front Axle for sale offers great value. Our Dana 70 Front Axle is a robust and high-performing component suitable for various heavy-duty vehicles. Built to withstand extreme conditions, this axle delivers optimal power and reliability across military, commercial, and specialty applications.
Features of the Dana 70 Front Axle
- Strength and Durability: The Dana 70 axle features high payload and high torque capacity, making it well suited for heavy-duty trucks, military vehicles, towing applications, and off-road use where longevity and structural integrity are critical.
- Large 10.5 inch Ring Gear: The larger ring gear (compared to the Dana 60's 9.75 inch) provides the strength and torque-handling capability needed for the most demanding applications, including heavy towing, off-road rock crawling, and military tactical use.
- Multiple Gear Ratio Options: Available in gear ratios from 3.54 (highway-friendly) through 6.17 (extreme low-end / large tire), letting you match the axle to your vehicle's tire size, transmission gear spread, and intended use (highway, towing, off-road, or military service).
- Differential Options: The Dana 70 can come equipped with open differentials, limited-slip differentials (LSD), or locking differentials (factory or aftermarket including ARB Air Lockers, Detroit Locker, ARB Air Locker). These options determine traction on the road, off-road traction, and behavior in low-grip conditions.
- Aftermarket Support: Extensive aftermarket support including chromoly axle shafts, heavy-duty differential covers, gear ratio swaps, air locker conversions, kingpin rebuild kits, hub conversion kits, and brake upgrade options. Replacement and upgrade parts are readily available through Spicer / Dana, RCV Performance, Yukon Gear, and various other suppliers.
- Compatibility: The Dana 70 axle is versatile and has been used in a wide range of vehicle platforms and applications from 1957 to the present, with various spline counts, gear ratios, and configuration options to suit different vehicles.
- Proven Design: The Dana 70 axle was originally produced by Spicer (now part of Dana Incorporated) and is a battle-tested design with decades of service history in military, commercial, and off-road applications.
- Serviceability: As with any heavy-duty axle, the Dana 70 requires regular maintenance including differential fluid changes, kingpin lubrication, and periodic inspection and replacement of bearings, seals, and brake components. Properly maintained, the Dana 70 delivers extremely long service life.
Dana 70 Front Axle: Where It's Used (And Where It Isn't)
Important context: The Dana 70 is most commonly used as a REAR axle in truck applications. The Dana 70 FRONT axle configuration is specialized and primarily found in:
Military Tactical Vehicles (the largest Dana 70 front axle user base):
- M35 2.5-ton cargo truck (various variants)
- M715 Kaiser Jeep military light truck
- AM General HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle)
- AM General Hummer H1 early production (some variants)
- BAE Systems RG-33 MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected)
- Navistar MaxxPro MRAP
- Oshkosh HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck)
Heavy-Duty Commercial Trucks:
- International Harvester Scout II 4x4 (heavy-duty variant)
- International Harvester Travelall 4x4
- International Loadstar medium-duty trucks
- Ford F-350 older 4x4 models (before Dana 60 became standard front)
- Ford F-450, F-550 Super Duty front axle configurations
- Dodge Ram 2500 older 4x4 (before Dana 60 became standard front)
- Dodge Ram 3500 older 4x4 dually configurations
- Chevrolet C/K 30 and C/K 3500 older 4x4 dually
- GMC Sierra 3500 older 4x4 dually
Specialty and Custom Applications:
- Custom-built off-road and rock-crawling vehicles
- Expedition and overland vehicles requiring extreme strength
- Heavy-duty RVs and motorhomes (custom builds)
- Emergency response vehicles (fire trucks and rescue vehicles)
- Utility service trucks
- Heavy-duty tow trucks
- Agricultural tractors (certain configurations)
- Heavy construction machinery
Condition and Quality Assurance
- Condition: Used, fully functional, and in good condition
- Quality Assurance: Each Dana 70 Front Axle undergoes rigorous quality checks including housing inspection, gear set inspection, kingpin bore measurement, brake mounting verification, and locking hub function testing
Shipping and Delivery Information
We provide multiple shipping options to suit your needs:
- Standard Shipping: Delivery within 7 to 14 business days (heavy freight required due to axle weight)
- Expedited Shipping: Available for time-sensitive applications (call for pricing)
- Packaging: Each axle is securely packaged on a heavy freight pallet to prevent damage during transit
Whether you're restoring a classic military vehicle, replacing a worn front axle on an HD truck, or building a custom 4x4 expedition rig, our Dana 70 Front Axle for sale offers reliability and performance you can trust. Explore our inventory and find the perfect Dana 70 Front Axle for your vehicle today!
Dana 70 vs Dana 60 Front Axle: Which Should You Choose?
| Specification | Dana 70 Front Axle (this listing) | Dana 60 Front Axle |
|---|
| Ring Gear Diameter | 10.5 inches | 9.75 inches |
| Axle Shaft Diameter | 1.5 to 1.75 inches | 1.5 to 1.56 inches |
| Axle Tube Diameter | 3.5 inches | 3.125 inches |
| Spline Count Options | 30, 32, 35 | 30, 32, 35 |
| GAWR Range | 6,000 to 10,000 lbs | 5,000 to 7,500 lbs |
| Typical Application | Military, F-450/F-550, Ram 3500 dually, HMMWV | F-250/F-350 Super Duty, Ram 2500/3500, Bronco |
| Strength Advantage | Yes, significantly stronger | Stronger than Dana 44, but not Dana 70 |
| Aftermarket Support | Extensive | Most extensive of any HD front axle |
Choose Dana 70 Front Axle for: military vehicle restorations, F-450 / F-550 / Ram 3500 dually applications, custom rock crawlers needing maximum strength, extreme heavy-duty expedition builds.
Choose Dana 60 Front Axle for: most Super Duty truck applications, common Jeep / 4x4 rebuilds, standard heavy-duty off-road use where the Dana 60's strength is adequate (and the Dana 70's added strength would be overkill).
Vehicle Compatibility
| Vehicle | Compatibility |
|---|
| Military Vehicles | M35 2.5-ton, M715 Kaiser Jeep, AM General HMMWV, Hummer H1 (early), BAE RG-33 MRAP, Navistar MaxxPro MRAP, Oshkosh HEMTT |
| International Harvester | Scout II 4x4, Travelall 4x4, Loadstar |
| Ford Trucks | F-350 older 4x4, F-450 Super Duty, F-550 Super Duty |
| Dodge / Ram Trucks | Ram 2500 older 4x4, Ram 3500 older 4x4 dually |
| Chevy / GMC Trucks | C/K 30 older 4x4, C/K 3500 older 4x4, Sierra 3500 older 4x4 |
| Specialty Vehicles | Custom rock crawlers, expedition / overland builds, heavy-duty RVs, fire trucks, rescue vehicles, utility trucks, heavy tow trucks |
Condition and Inspection
- Donor vehicle identified (military, commercial, or specialty application)
- Axle housing inspected (no cracks, bent housing, or impact damage)
- Ring and pinion gear set inspected (pattern, wear, lash)
- Axle shaft spline count verified (30, 32, or 35 splines)
- Gear ratio confirmed (3.54 through 6.17 options)
- Kingpin bore condition assessed (wear and roundness)
- Locking hub function tested (WARN or WEBB HUB)
- Brake mounting hardware inspected (drum, disc, or ABS-compatible)
- Differential type documented (open, limited-slip, or locker)
- Steering knuckle interface inspected
- Wheel bearing condition assessed
- Seal integrity verified
- Donor vehicle and application documented
- Axle housing integrity verified
- Ring and pinion gear inspected
- Gear ratio confirmed before shipping
- Spline count documented (30 / 32 / 35)
- Kingpin and locking hub function tested
- Free heavy freight delivery to all 50 states
- 15 day replacement warranty on internal defects
- Heavy-duty truck and military vehicle experienced support team
Is the Dana 70 Front Axle available, and at what price?
Yes, this Dana 70 Front Axle is currently in stock and available for $2,199. We typically have multiple Dana 70 Front Axles in inventory from military and heavy-duty truck applications. Call (240) 301-0095 to confirm current availability and to discuss your specific application requirements (spline count, gear ratio, brake configuration).
What makes the Dana 70 front axle suitable for heavy-duty applications?
The Dana 70 front axle is designed with a robust 3.5 inch tube housing, large 10.5 inch ring gear, high-strength steel axle shafts in 30, 32, or 35 spline configurations, and full-floating design, making it capable of handling high torque and heavy loads in demanding environments. The 6,000 to 10,000 lb GAWR rating positions the Dana 70 above the Dana 60 (5,000 to 7,500 lb) for the most demanding applications.
Can the Dana 70 front axle be used in off-road vehicles?
Yes, the Dana 70 front axle is commonly used in heavy-duty off-road vehicles, including custom-built rock crawlers, expedition vehicles, and overland builds, due to its durability, large ring gear, and strong axle shafts. The aftermarket support for the Dana 70 includes chromoly axle shaft upgrades, ARB Air Lockers, gear ratio swaps, and kingpin rebuild kits.
Are there aftermarket upgrades available for the Dana 70 front axle?
Yes, there is a wide range of aftermarket upgrades available, including: - Stronger chromoly axle shafts (RCV Performance, Yukon Gear, Spicer) - Heavy-duty differential covers (for additional housing protection) - Differential lockers (ARB Air Lockers, Detroit Locker, Yukon Grizzly Locker) - Gear ratio sets in all factory ratios from 3.54 to 6.17 - Kingpin rebuild kits (Spicer, Yukon) - Locking hub upgrades (WARN, Mile Marker, Aisin) - Disc brake conversion kits for older drum brake equipped Dana 70s
How does the full-floating design of the Dana 70 front axle benefit its performance?
The full-floating design means that the axle shafts only transmit torque and do not bear the vehicle's weight, which is supported by the axle tube via the wheel hub bearings. This design improves durability dramatically (axle shafts only see torque, not vertical or lateral loads), allows easier maintenance (you can remove an axle shaft without lifting the vehicle or supporting weight on jack stands), and allows the vehicle to continue rolling on a broken axle shaft (the wheel stays in place, unlike on a semi-floating axle where a broken shaft causes immediate wheel loss).
What is the difference between the Dana 70 and Dana 60 front axles?
The Dana 70 is generally stronger and has a higher load capacity compared to the Dana 60. The Dana 70 has larger components, including: - Bigger ring gear (10.5 inch vs 9.75 inch) - Thicker axle shafts (1.5 to 1.75 inch vs 1.5 to 1.56 inch) - Larger axle tube (3.5 inch vs 3.125 inch) - Higher GAWR (6,000 to 10,000 lb vs 5,000 to 7,500 lb) This makes the Dana 70 better suited for extreme heavy-duty applications, military vehicles, dually trucks, and applications requiring maximum strength. The Dana 60 is more common, more readily available, and adequate for most heavy-duty 4x4 applications.
What maintenance is required for the Dana 70 front axle?
Regular maintenance includes: - Differential fluid changes every 30,000 to 50,000 miles (typically 75W-90 or 80W-90 GL-5 gear oil) - Kingpin lubrication at OEM-specified intervals - Inspecting seals and bearings for wear and leakage - Ensuring proper torque of all fasteners (steering arm, brake mounting, U-bolts) - Front-end alignment check whenever axle work is performed
Is the Dana 70 front axle compatible with modern electronic stability and traction control systems?
Compatibility depends on the specific vehicle and its electronic systems. The axle itself is a mechanical component compatible with most ABS systems (if equipped with ABS sensor mounting provisions), but integrating it with modern stability control and traction control may require additional modifications, sensors, or aftermarket controllers depending on the application.
